Fertilizer application

Abstract

Fertilizer is applied between the rows of growing plants or to the bases of growing plants in adjacent rows. A dirt moving member then moves dirt and any applied fertilizer from between the rows onto the bases of the growing plants in the adjacent rows. The dirt acts to seal the fertilizer and to significantly reduce fertilizer losses.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for attaching to a transverse toolbar passing over a field of growing plants with bases in spaced apart rows and for applying a fertilizer to the bases of the growing plants in an adjacent row, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a vertical member adapted for descending from the transverse toolbar, the vertical member being adapted for positioning between the rows of growing plants, the vertical member being adapted for passing over a field in a single direction only, which direction defines forward and rearward; 
 (b) an application line for the vertical member for applying a fertilizer between the rows of the growing crops or to the bases of the growing plants in an adjacent row; and 
 (c) a dirt moving member at the bottom of the vertical member for moving dirt and any applied fertilizer between the rows from between the rows outwardly onto the bases of the growing plants in an adjacent row, the dirt moving member being located rearwardly of the application line. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the vertical member comprises a vertical arm connected to the transverse toolbar, a trailing arm pivotably connected to the vertical arm, and a shock absorber extending between the vertical arm and the trailing arm. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the dirt moving member comprises two freely rotating colters that are cambered outwardly. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the application line passes through the vertical arm. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the application line passes through a colter. 
     
     
       6. A method for applying a fertilizer directly to the bases of growing plants in two adjacent rows, the method comprising:
 (a) obtaining an apparatus comprising: (i) a transverse bar for passing over a field of growing plants in spaced apart rows in a forward direction; (ii) a vertical member descending from the transverse bar, the vertical member being positioned between the rows of growing plants; (iii) an application line for applying a fertilizer between the rows of growing plants or to the bases of the growing plants in an adjacent row; and (iv) a dirt moving member at the bottom of the vertical member and rearwardly of the application line for moving dirt and any fertilizer applied between the rows from between the rows outwardly onto the bases of the growing plants in an adjacent row; and 
 (b) pulling the apparatus through a field of growing plants while applying fertilizer between the rows of growing plants or to the bases of the growing plants in an adjacent row and then immediately moving dirt and any fertilizer applied between the rows from between the rows outwardly onto the bases of the growing plants in an adjacent row. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  wherein the vertical member of the apparatus comprises a vertical arm pivotably connected to the transverse bar, a trailing arm pivotably connected to the vertical arm, and a shock absorber extending between the vertical arm and the trailing arm. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7  wherein the dirt moving member of the apparatus comprises two freely rotating colters that are cambered outwardly. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  wherein the application line passes through the vertical arm. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  wherein the application line passes through a colter.